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Thunbergia laurifolia

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Thunbergia laurifolia

Family Name: Acanthaceae
Common Name: Akar Ketuau, Thunbergia, Blue Trumpet Vine, Laurel-Leared Thunbergia, Laurel Clock Vine

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Climber
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution Andaman Island, Assam, East Himalaya, Malaya, Myanmar, Nicobar Islands and Vietnam
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Spontaneous (Casual))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form A perennial, herbaceous climber. It has a twining growth form. 
Roots It has tuberous roots. 
Foliage The oblong-lanceolate leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stems and have entire to slightly toothed margins. The leaf has three main veins with a reticulated vein arrangement. 
Flowers The large trumpet-shaped flowers have a blue-violet corolla and are bisexual. The flowers are borne on a raceme.   
Fruit The fruit is in a form of a capsule which contains 2 to 4 seeds. 
Similar It is similar to Thunbergia grandiflora, a vine. The difference is the Thunbergia laurifolia has narrower, glabrous leaves while Thunbergia grandiflora has broader, hairy leaves with larger lobes.  

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens, Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola
Usage Hazard - Cons Invasive / Potentially Invasive
Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks The plants is easily spread via its seeds and pieces of its tuberous roots which can grow and develop to form new plants. Waste plant matter should be properly discarded to prevent escape from cultivation.   

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils
Propagation Method Seed, Storage Organ (Tuberous Root)

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) Purple

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 226
Species ID 1522
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 05 August 2022.
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